Latch.



EUGENE W. VEST, OF MULBERRY GROVE, ILLINOIS.

LATCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

Application filed April 11, 1908. Serial No. 426,578.

- cation.

My invention has special relation to a form of latch wherein a longitudinally movable bolt and a rotary socket are provided.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of an improved latching device for gates or the like which shall be positive in operation and effective in use.

lVith the above and other desirable objects referred to hereinafter in view, my invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as set forth in the following description and de fined in the appended claims.

With reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout: Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved latch illustrating the bolt engaged in the socket. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the strike plate showing the socket mounted therein. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the same, and Fig. 4: is a horizontal sectional view of the housing for the bolt, showing the latter mounted therein.

In carrying out my invention I provide a bolt as 1 supported for lingitudinal movement in a suitable housing 2 and formed with a rectangular portion 3 fitting in a correspondingly formed aperture in the head of housing 2 to conveniently secure said bolt from rotation.

Positioned in housing 2 I have shown a spring 4: engaging with bolt 1 to yieldingly hold the latter from inward movement, the said bolt having a shoulder as 1 provided for engagement with the housing to limit the forward movement of the bolt.

As will be observed, bolt 1 is formed with a circular forward end portion as 5 having a convex termination, the said portion being adapted to fit in the socket of the latch now to be described.

My improved latch comprises a socket as 6 rotatably supported in a strike plate 7 and having a forward extension 8 of segmental form, from which extend, in opposite directions, downwardly inclined arms 9. The end surface 10 of socket 6 flares outwardly to the outer surface of plate 7, while the outer side portions 8 of extension 8 are beveled or curved downwardly in an outward direction.

The bolt 1 is provided with shoulders 11 adjacent its forward end which extend forwardly and upwardly about the bolt at opposite sides thereof. These shoulders are approximately the beveled corners 12 of extension 8 when the bolt is engaged in socket 8, consequently, upon rotating said socket in either direction, one or the other of said shoulders will be engaged by the relative corner 12 of extension 8 and thereby effect operation of the bolt.

The strike plate 7 is preferably provided with guides as 13 and 14: at each side of socket 8. These guides are preferably in the form of ribs and serve to guide the bolt 1 to said socket. The guides 14: are preferably extended at their inner ends to provide a segmental shoulder ll projecting forwardly from the edge of the seat of socket 8.

In applying my invention, as to a gate for example, strike plate 7 is mounted on the fence post and housing 8 on the stile of the gate so that bolt 1 will normally engage at its outer end in socket 8 to prevent movement of the gate as indicated in Fig. 1. When desired to release the gate, extension 8 is rotated, by upward pressure on either arm 9, thereby bringing one of the corners 12 to bear against one of the shoulders 11 to retract bolt 1 until the rounded end surface thereof lies in the flaring end of the socket, whereupon by pressing against the gate, the opening operation may be completed as the bolt will ride upon said end surface and be thereby directed to the face of strike plate 7 as the gate swings. When the gate returns, the outer end of bolt 1 rides on the face of plate 7 between relative guides 18 and 14 which serve to insure the delivery of the bolt to the flaring end of socket 6, while the bolt engages one of the surfaces 8 of extension 8 and rotates said socket. The extension 8 is thereby carried upwardly at the opposite side as the bolt rides down the end surface of socket 6, re sponsive to action of spring 1, and engages in said socket.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America, 1s:

1. A latching device comprising a rotatable socket, a longitudinally movable bolt normally engaging in said socket, and means for shifting said bolt by rotation of the socket to free such bolt for lateral movement relatively to the socket.

2. A latching device comprising a rotatable socket flaring outwardly at the receiving end, a longitudinally movable bolt normally engaging in said socket, and cooperating means carried by said parts whereby rotation of the socket rejects the bolt.

3. A latching device comprising a strike plate, a socket rotatable in said plate having a segmental end extension formed with oppositely inclined outer side surfaces, and a longitudinally movable spring pressed bolt normally engaging in said socket having peripheral shoulders, said shoulders extending forwardly and upwardly above said extension at opposite sides of the bolt.

4:. A latching device comprising a strike plate, a socket rotatable in said plate having a segmental end extension formed with oppositely inclined outer side surfaces, the said socket having its outer end surface beveled, and a longitudinally movable spring pressed l1olt normally engaging in said socket having peripheral shoulders extendingforwardly and upwardly above said extension at opposite sides of the bolt.

A latching device comprising a strike plate, a socket rotatable in said plate having its outer end surface beveled inwardly from the face of said plate, a longitudinally movable spring pressed bolt normally engaged in said socket, means to retract said bolt by rotation of said socket, and guides on said plate converging inwardly to said socket.

Signed at Spokane, Washington, this 3d day of April, 1908.

EUGENE W. VEST. l Vitnesses L. L. lVEsTFALL, AURIZoM M. MURPHEY. 

